 By Bradley Elston
September 20, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Learn the main idea and concept of a Virtual data room. What is it and what purposes such software is used for?
Virtual Data Room: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
All sorts of file storage facilities are commonly used to store documents: a personal computer or various systems like Google Drive. As long as files are locked away from prying eyes, they are quite secure. But how to protect them if you need to give access to a limited number of people you don’t know well? For example, confidential documents in various transactions, some financial reports, or documents related to tax or audit audits.
There are many similar examples when it is important to provide access to the documents, on the one hand, and to make sure they are not leaked or the person who leaked them will be found, on the other hand.
VDRs (virtual data rooms) are used for secure data exchange. They allow delimiting rights and access to the documents inside the system, creating a clear structure and organizing easy exchange and work with files both inside the organization (synchronization with AD/LDAP) and during interaction with contractors.
The data room offers a standard set of tools, such as viewing documents, downloading, sending for printing, sharing, etc. Protection of files inside VDRs is provided by differentiation of user rights, control of document lifetime, and logging of events. But the question is how to be sure that the information will not leak into the public domain, and how to identify the culprit in case of leakage.
Check the virtual data room review to get more information about this software.
 The existence of clouds has made it possible for data to be accessed by almost anyone anywhere. With a Virtual Data Room that data is secure – rock solid secure. What is VDR?
A virtual data room is a tool, usually set up for a specific time and purpose, that gives authorized users access to a secure database of documents, according to their permit rights.
Why is It Important to Use?
Initially, virtual data rooms were created as an alternative to physical data rooms in due diligence procedures during mergers and acquisitions. Before the era of broadband Internet access, the familiarization of possible parties to a transaction with documents was as follows:
● The seller would allocate or lease one or more rooms into which folders of paper documents would be taken down, and write down the rent or lost profits from the misuse of the rooms as an expense item.
● A schedule of room visits and paperwork for potential buyers (beaders) was drawn up, which, if their number was substantial, greatly increased the transaction time.
● If the beaders were from another city or country, their representatives went on business trips to world cultural centers and to industrial regions, wasting time on the road and money on higher travel expenses.
But the virtual data room solves the problem of time, cost, and convenience of accessing documents.
Currently, virtual data room services accompany the activities of companies in other areas, from providing information to partners of investment funds to obtaining certificates for medicines, that is, everywhere where it is necessary to provide convenient access to confidential information for a certain circle of people who may be thousands of kilometers away from each other.
How Can a Virtual Data Room Protect the Data?
A virtual dataroom can be used in almost any situation where a company needs to provide simultaneous access to confidential information to several people:
● Analyzing corporate records;
● Creation of document archive;
● Audit;
● Preparation of an initial public offering (IPO);
● Help with mergers and acquisitions;
● Searching and providing information for investors.
The technology works in the following way: any interaction with a document (opening, downloading, sending for printing, sending by mail attachment, etc.) provides the user with a personal labelled copy. The copy is visually indistinguishable from the original, the markings are not visible to the naked eye, and can only be recognized using a forensic tool. In addition to the invisible marking the document is assigned the following attributes: employee ID, time, date, IP, location, etc.
If there is a leakage, the compromised document is loaded into the system and its labelling is compared with the original document available in the system for analysis. As a result, the system identifies the most similar copy and its owner. Thus, allowing you to find the potential culprit of the leak.
Such a solution can be used for critical business events: mergers and acquisitions, audits, and IPO preparation handling the personal information of public persons, as well as for intellectual property protection.
 The name “the cloud” actually describes a room full of servers that hold data and make it available via the internet. While a person is working in the VDR, a system is recording every copy of the document. In case even a small fragment of text of any document stored in such an electronic data room is compromised, the owner can conduct an examination and unambiguously discover the name of the person who published it without consent. Such marking is absolutely invisible to users and nothing changes in their usual processes.
 Market projections for VDR services is very positive. Whether or not to tell employees or counterparties working in such a VDR about the presence of invisible marking is the right of the owner of the virtual room. On the one hand, this can immediately become a preventive psychological measure to protect documents. On the other hand, if the task is to identify an already existing insider, it is possible not to report about the technology.
Conclusion
A virtual room is a space where documents are sorted into folders, and all participants have a certain level of access rights. They can download files, and upload and share them only with permission. This format of use allows organizing convenient collaboration within different business processes.
VDR can save your company time and effort. When it comes to business effectiveness, every feature helps. The use of the dataroom software allows convenient managing of important corporate information and team collaboration. Also, it is more secure than usual file-sharing systems. So VDR is a smart solution for your business.
 By Pepper Parr
August 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
In an announcement sent out via Twitter the city administration said:
 The city is reported to have purchased 12oo of thee whistles. In light of recent coyote attacks in south-central and southeast Burlington, we are giving out coyote whistles to help you ‘haze’ coyotes you may encounter.
 Ron Foxcroft, Centre with his son Ronnie and Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns with the Fox40 whistle. The whistles are available, first come, first serve basis at:
Service Burlington, Sims Square, 390 Brant St., third floor
Nelson Recreation Centre, 4235 New St.
Burlington Public Library Branches:
Aldershot Branch, 550 Plains Rd. E.
Alton Branch, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.
Brant Hills Branch, 2255 Brant St. o
Central Branch, 2331 New St. o
Kilbride Branch, 6611 Panton St.
New Appleby Branch, 676 Appleby Line o
Tansley Woods Branch, 1996 Itabashi Way
That was it. For those who aren’t glued to Twitter – well they don’t know.
Something is seriously wrong in the Communications department if this is the best they can do to effectively communicate with a public that is asking a lot of questions. There will be a Staff report going to Council for a September 14th meeting.
UPDATE The city did send out a media release later in the day.
 By Pepper Parr
August 29th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
City Manager Tim Commisso has advised Stephen White that Staff will be producing a report on the coyote problem that will be presented to the Corporate Services Strategy Risk and Accountability Standing Committee on September 14th
 Is the city manager losing his grip on an issue that trouble many people in the city. He also plans to meet with Mr. White on Thursday of this week. White said he has no idea what is going to take place at that meeting.
Commisso is reported to have said that he is prepared to add additional funding to the problem.
We also learn that there is now a sign at the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Guelph line advising/informing the public about the coyote problem.
A Gazette reader, in a comment she wrote in the Gazette comments section “A small child was dragged out of their backyard by the neck by a coyote before their dad saved them.´
We suspect the comment stretched the truth quite a bit – the point however is that there is a population worried, afraid and uncertain.
 Stephen White has been asked to attend a meeting with the City Manager to “talk about” the coyote problem in the city. White doesn’t know what the agenda is. That population also has a problem with a city Council that does not appear to know how to address a serious issue – the safety of the public.
There is an opportunity here for the City Manager to ask the Mayor to call an emergency meeting of city council to bring the public up to date on what has happened, with a lot of detail, and to set out the immediate steps that can and will be taken.
If there was ever a time for some Strategy Risk and Accountability from the city manager and City Council – this is it.
A sign at an intersection doesn’t quite cut it.
We have a public that is worried; we have members of Council who had, until very recently, not seen the report and we have some dangerously exaggerated comments being made.
An Emergency meeting before everyone leaves town for the Labour Day holiday is in order.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Justina Gartlab
August 29th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Formula 1 summer break is a short period in between the season where there are no official F1 races. The break is so fundamental that there is a strict closure of factories and other F1-related industries with only basic functions allowed to proceed.
 The thrill of being at the track or watching the races on TV is something you never forget – but drivers and the rest of the team do need a break. The break is upheld by article 21.8 of the FIA sporting regulations which states “all competitors must observe a closing period of fourteen consecutive days during July and/or August.”
In the 2022-2023 season, the summer break extends between late July, after the Hungarian GP, and Late August, just in time for the Belgian GP. You can find more information about sports interaction bonus and promotions to improve your F1 races betting experience ahead of the season resumption.
What is the importance of the F1 summer break? To provide drivers an opportunity for social interactions
If you love the F1 races, you will certainly be glued to your screen in a bid to catch the matches which happen almost every other weekend as there are over twenty races in every season.
However, you have to admit that the drivers are as human as you, and need a social life far from the spectators. The break gives them ample time to relax and reconnect with their families and friends without the hassle of training.
For instance, Lewis Hamilton says he is fully transformed and more in touch with his ‘roots’ following his African visit during the lapsed break.
 This team is a vital and critical part of winning a race. The personnel teams such as those working in production, car design, and development also get to share in it. This prevents any parties from gaining a competitive advantage over the other, as neither can hold meetings or engage in planning activities unless with the authorization of FIA.
As the F1 teams resume working immediately after the Christmas break, this is their first and actual resting period without interruptions.
To minimize costs
With the production, planning, and designing functions on hold, the F1 teams and stakeholders can cut the majority of their costs then. Research projects are also paused which lowers the costs.
Races after the 2022 summer break
If you are looking for new ways to spice up your autumn season, these upcoming Grand Prix events are exciting races will surely keep you company.
Belgian GP 26 -28 August
Dutch GP 2-4 September
Italian GP 9-11 September
Singapore GP 30 – 2 October.
Japanese GP 7-9 October
United States GP 21-23 October
Mexican City GP 28-30 October
By Pepper Parr
August 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
We learned yesterday that the city has had a report, put together by citizens from Oakville and Burlington, on how to better manage the coyote problem and the risk they present to the public.
We learned that the report sat on a shelf, it was apparently not even acknowledged. The group did everything they could – shown clearly in the time line they provided.
To say that the people on both the administrative and the elected sides should be ashamed is about all the average Burlington can do.
Stephen White When Stephen White met with Mayor Meed Ward to talk to her about a neighbour’s cat that was mauled to death (all there was left was a paw”) she asked White why he didn’t delegate.
White made clear to the Mayor that delegating is one of the most useless things a Burlington citizen can do – “you people don’t know how to listen” he said
Burlington staff spend hour upon hour discussing risk management and risk mitigation. Workshop sessions have been devoted to the subject.
White told the Gazette that the group deliberately did not go to the media. “We didn’t want to make a lot of noise – we just wanted to put some information in front of the people who make the decisions.”
However, said White “when we saw the story in the Gazette yesterday, Julie and I had a talk and decided that we would give the report to the media and be available to answer questions.”
 Councillor Sharman has kept on top of the coyote file – but he made no reference that we are aware of that a citizens committee had put forward some strong recommendations. White did say that Councillor Sharman was very good – he listened, he was attentive as well.” But that appears to be all that was done.
White points out that coyotes are more aggressive in the fall and the spring.
Learning that there were three serious incidents in the past couple of weeks is disturbing – it doesn’t fit the pattern.
The pattern that does fit is city hall’s inability to hear what the public has to say.
Is it arrogance, hubris or an inability to understand that their job is to take care of the public’s welfare?
Should some child be hurt in the weeks ahead, perhaps maimed – imagine the law suit – we are talking tens of millions in a case in which the BOCM report and the article in the Gazette would be major pieces of evidence.
We believe that every member of Council was aware of the report. If the Mayor did not share what she knew or if the City Manager did not share what he knew – one might ask “Why are they there”
Indeed – why are they there ?
Related news stories:
The BOCM report with the time line
Report recommendations
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Staff
August 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette published a report yesterday on recommendations a citizens committee gave to Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and City Manager Tim Commisso.
Within the report were a number of recommendations that we think were important enough to be made public. They are set out below; they amount to a consultants report that didn’t cost the city a dime.
 Those recommendations are set out below
1. Conduct an impact analysis by neighbourhoods to identify various controls that should be implemented to safeguard residents, children and pets from coyote attacks.
BOCM has identified several “hot spot” neighbourhoods in both Oakville and Burlington which have shown an unusually high number of coyote sightings and incidents. These neighbourhoods are as follows:
- Samuel Curtis Estates in West Oakville;
- Wilmot Creek Park in West Oakville/East Burlington;
- Lakeshore Woods in West Oakville;
- Sheldon Creek Trail system bordering Samuel Curtis Estates & Lakeshore Woods in West Oakville;
- Shell Park in West Oakville;
- South Shel Park & Beach Trails in West Oakville;
- Burloak Waterfront Park in West Oakville/East Burlington;
- Mohawk Gardens/St. Patrick’s R.C. School in East Burlington;
- Bromley Park in East Burlington;
- Sherwood Forest Park in East Burlington;
- Pineland Public School in East Burlington;
- Paletta Estates in Burlington;
- Nelson Park in Burlington (including Shoreacres Road);
- John Tuck Public School in
Many of these areas are adjacent to woodlots. The proximity of playgrounds to woodlots which is where coyotes den is particularly problematic. Many young children play in these areas, and the potential for interactions between coyotes and young people is extremely high. In all of West Oakville there are no coyote warning signs whatsoever.
 SIGN AT ENTRANCE TO SHELDON CREEK TRAIL, THE SITE OF SEVERAL COYOTE ATTACKS. THIS IS A HEAVILY UTILIZED TRAIL AND CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO TRAIL ENTRANCE. COYOTES KNOWN TO USE THIS ENTRANCE TO LEAVE THE TRAIL SYSTEM AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE LAKE VIA WILMOT ROAD AND STEVENSON ROAD. 2. Improve both the quantity and quality of signage relating to coyotes, and ensure it offers meaningful information on what to do in the event of sightings.
There are absolutely no coyote warning signs in Bronte and West Oakville, and the level of coyote signage currently in use in Burlington is vague and offers little in the way of useful information. BOCM believes that much more comprehensive and detailed signage is required that includes the following:
- Warning signs on the prevalence of coyotes;
- Encourage park visitors to call 911 in cases of emergencies or attacks;
- Clear prohibitions aimed at discouraging the feeding wildlife;
- Specific directions on what to do if a coyote stalks someone;
- Advice on how to properly haze
Suffice to say that a picture of a coyote may provide a warning but it offers no viable information as to what to do when one is sighted or attacks. Oakville/Burlington need to follow the lead of Mississauga and install billboards, or at the least temporary mobile signs warning people of coyotes in hotspots and what to do.
Appendix A includes a cross-section of different pictures taken recently throughout Oakville and Burlington that clearly demonstrates either the lack of proper signage or a lack of relevant information.
3. Current municipal by-laws should be amended to permit the laying of charges and assessment of fines for persons who feed coyotes.
Current direction from civic officials places an onus upon residents not to feed wildlife. Unfortunately, this advice is not reinforced with appropriate fines that act as a significant deterrent.
It is our understanding that the City of Burlington By-Law 083-2015 enacted September 28th,2015 provides for a fine of $100 for any resident found feeding wildlife. In the case of the Town of Oakville we examined By-Law 2018-006 and were unable to find any fine for feeding wildlife. The fine in the City of Toronto is $365.
BOCM maintains that a $500 fine should be imposed upon any resident or person who is identified feeding wildlife. We believe that a similar fine should be assessed in cases where residents carelessly discard food waste and scraps that become a food source for coyotes, raccoons, etc.
4. Provide appropriate coyote management education in schools and parks that border creeks.
We believe that more prescriptive and defined education messages should be used to communicate the potential threat caused by coyotes. We believe that By- Law Officers should be routinely tasked with visiting schools in “hot spot” neighbourhoods to educate teachers, students and administrators about the threats posed by coyotes.
As coyotes are no longer afraid of us hazing must be taught to residents and children. Furthermore, flyers must be sent to every household in high density coyote areas instructing what to do, how to haze, and what to carry as a deterrent.
5. Change municipal by-laws to permit residents to increase fence heights in order to deter coyotes from entering residents’ properties.
Our review indicates that in the City of Burlington the maximum fence height is 2 metres. In the case of the Town of Oakville there is a similar provision, although in certain circumstances it can extend to 2.2 metres.
BOCM believes the current height restriction on fences is inadequate to protect residents from coyotes entering the backyards. We have several reports where residents’ pets in fenced backyards have been attacked by coyotes that have scaled wooden and wire fences.
We believe that in cases where properties are adjacent to “hot spot” areas an exception should be made, and that fence heights should be changed to 3 metres. This would provide a strong deterrent to coyotes from entering properties adjacent to parks while providing protection to homeowners whose pets are in enclosed areas.
6. Permit residents’ whose properties back onto wooded areas to place an awning structure at the top of their fence to prevent coyote jumps.
As was noted in point #5 above, coyotes have the ability to scale fences up to nine feet high. We believe residents whose properties are adjacent to “hot spot” locations should have the ability to erect awnings at the top of their fences to prevent coyote jumps.
7. Request more frequent and nightly bylaw officer visits to wooded areas known to have coyote dens.
BOCM maintains that Animal Control By-Law Officers have a low visibility and profile in the community. We believe that greater efforts should be made to provide nightly patrols in “hot spot” areas where coyotes pose a significant hazard and risk. Increased visibility will reinforce public safety and demonstrate concern for the needs of residents. In particular, better training for animal control and bylaw officers on how to be more empathetic and understanding when dealing with distraught pet owners reporting attacks and killing of their pets would be helpful.
As well, it is important to clearly articulate to residents who to contact in the event of an attack, kill or sighting. Residents are currently confused.
Several schools in Oakville and Burlington have woods that are adjacent to known coyote dens. Below are pictures taken at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic School on Kenwood Drive, and Pineland Public School on Meadowhill Drive. In these photographs you can clearly see that playgrounds and soccer fields are within close proximity to wooded areas and ravines.
8. Scientifically measure the size of the coyote population in West Oakville, Bronte and Burlington.
Much has been made about the fact that the coyote population is threatened by urbanization. While this may be true, at no time has scientific data been adduced to confirm the actual size of the coyote population in this area.
Until the 1800’s coyotes lived only in the southern prairies of North America, and the southern United States to Mexico. By the late 1800’s they expanded west to the Pacific Ocean, and by the 1900s they had advanced to the Maritimes, the eastern seaboard in the United States, and north to Alaska. Their rapid population growth is a testament to their hardiness and adaptability.
BOCM believes that making unsubstantiated claims that a species is at risk without corroborating evidence to substantiate it is both misleading and untrue. The natural predator of coyotes are humans, but if there are controls on hunting and trapping then the species reproduces unimpeded. Empirically, the number of sightings and interactions with coyotes would infer that the coyote population has migrated south towards the Lake Ontario shoreline and along adjacent creeks. This would suggest that a larger number of them are living in a confined area and in closer proximity to residents.
We believe that a scientific count of the coyote population would be helpful in identifying dens and imposing reasonable controls that would restrict the number of negative interactions with residents and their pets. Recently, attempts have been made in the City of Chicago using radio tracking to determine the size of the coyote population. Estimates suggest that the population in that City is somewhere between 2,000 to 4,000 animals.
BOCM believes that similar activities should be undertaken by bylaw officers using radio control technology. Scientific evidence, not assumptions, are needed in order to develop proactive evidence-based solutions to the coyote population.
9. Institute a program of coyote contraception to limit the size of the coyote population.
Once an assessment has been made of the size of the coyote population BOCM believes that measures should be instituted to control the size of this species.
It should be noted that in addition to the obvious threat presented by bites and attacks coyotes are also known carriers of parasites including mange and, in some instances, rabies. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to both dogs and humans, and there are cases where it can be passed from human to human. Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads from the saliva of infected animals. Treatment involves a series of painful shots that eliminate the infection.
Wildlife contraception is not new. It has been applied successfully in various jurisdictions in the United States to control wildlife including deer:
10. Initiate a program of aggressive hazing to instill fear in coyotes.
The concept of aversive conditioning has been pioneered by Collen Cassady St. Clair at the University of Alberta who has been working with the Edmonton Coyote Urban Project. This program is based on the concept of teaching wild animals to mistrust humans and fear people in order to lessen interactions that may result in adverse close contacts or attacks. Certain areas of that City, particularly playgrounds, are considered “no-go” zones, and coyotes seen in these areas are aggressively hazed. One approach that is being utilized involves deploying service dogs to find coyotes, then shooting them with chalk balls fired from paintball guns. Residents are also encouraged to haze coyotes by throwing tennis balls at them.
Because coyotes are no longer afraid of people, we need to teach residents aversive conditioning, and providing this information both on the website and in flyers distributed to households.
- Institute a program of regular pesticide spraying of rats and other vermin consumed by Coyotes in our trail areas and known den areas.
If the food sources for coyotes disappears, so will the coyotes. They will move to other more food abundant areas.
This will become increasingly necessary as urban development to the north of Burlington and Oakville proceeds quickly over the next few years. We will need to have plans in place well in advance to control and manage the coyote population. We all know that the coyotes will move south from Milton and Halton Hills to south Oakville and Burlington so they can be close to Lake Ontario where there is an abundance of shoreline and trail system wildlife.
 SUMMARY
BOCM maintains that previous coyote management efforts by civic officials have been both inadequate and a substantive public policy failure. Too much onus has been placed on local residents to manage this problem through appeals to refrain from feeding wildlife. While BOCM supports this measure in principle, it is our contention that this measure alone is inadequate. We strongly contend that the time has come for much more proactive control initiatives.
Related news story:
Report om controlling coyote problem gets the brush off from city hall
 By Pepper Parr
August 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
During a lunch with a number of people on Wednesday I was sitting beside former ward 3 Councillor John Taylor.
The lunch was a gathering of people who meet regularly and talk politics. With the city in the midst of an election the current candidates took up much of the conversation.
Ward 3 incumbent Rory Nisan was the focus of quite a bit of the conversation.
I thought I heard John say that he was not supporting Rory this election and that he was supporting Jennifer Hounslow. Taylor was sitting on my immediate left.
 John Taylor endorsing Gareth Williams during the 2018 election campaign Several of the people at that lunch supported Rory Nisan in 2018, including the Gazette; there were high hopes that he would serve the ward as well as John Taylor had in the four + terms that he served.
By the end of the first year of the current term of office it began to become clear that Nisan was going to disappoint.
He continued doing just that.
I have been advised that Taylor did not support Nisan and have been sent a short video clip showing Taylor standing with Gareth Williams– we apologize for the error.
The video clip of Taylor endorsing Williams is HERE‘ it is certainly a very fulsome endorsement
We have removed the article that includes the error.
By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The Roseland Community Organization (RCO) is hosting a debate that will involve the ward 4 candidates and the people running for the office f Mayor.
And good on them for taking this on.
In 2010 the Gazette sponsored a debate for the ward six candidates – there were eight or nine of them. It went well but it required a lot of work and ate up time we just didn’t have.
In 2018 ECOB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington sponsored debates in all six wards during which the city saw some of the biggest turnouts for a political event in several decades.
 ECOB filled the Baptist Church on New Street during the 2018 election debates. ECOB’s Penny Hersh did the bulk of the work to make those happen.
Other than the Roseland Group – who else is going to step up and arrange for debates in their wards ?
Are there service clubs that could take this on ? Sponsoring a debate is not a political activity – it is a civic decision to put in motion an event that gives people a chance to inform themselves.
Ward 2 and 3 both badly need a debate as does ward 5 now that Paul Sharman has to run for office instead of being acclaimed.
There were some interesting comments made by Gazette readers on the story we ran of the RCO announcement
One reader wrote: Roseland Community Group is a group of homeowners, who show interest and take pride in their community. There is no reason why other communities cannot form the same type of organizations.
Another wrote: The problem I have is, who is the Roseland Community Organization? Who are the members? Are any candidates” a member or affiliate with them? Did any of the members of the ROC help or donate to any of the candidates’ campaigns? If so, isn’t that a conflict of interest? and how do we know it will be fair and impartial. Even the venue is suspect, do any of the candidates belong to the church? Who is going to moderate the debate and come up with the questions? Hopefully it’s not Mr. Parr because we know he mentions Shawna in every article he writes. What experience does the ROC have in running a political debate?
All this reader had to do was spend five minutes on the RCO web site and his concerns would disappear. Suggesting that using a church would be a conflict – Really?
By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
With nominations closed and the official list of candidates running for positions certified by the City Clerk, Burlington moves into a 62 days to go campaign that will elect seven people who will guide the city through a complex period of time during which critical long term decisions are going to have to be made.
The Gazette will do its best to interview each of the 23 candidates, several of whom feel they can ignore media, put out their own story and assume the public will buy it without any questions.
Democracy doesn’t work that way.
There are 23 candidates to interview. Some candidates ask if this can be done by telephone. An in depth interview is a one on one event that takes at least an hour.
The Gazette has brought in Denis Gibbons, a former editor of another Burlington based newspaper, to do some of the interviewing.
 Tim O’Brien: His move to municipal politics, not unusual, was brought about by his dissatisfaction with the way the HDCSB operated and his interest in city wide issues. Yesterday we interviewed Tim O’Brien, a current Halton District Catholic School Board (HCSB) trustee who is not running for trustee re-election.
O’Brien spoke reluctantly about his HDCSB experience explaining that the protocols in place were such that he was not permitted to speak.
He does however talk about some of the changes that trustees were able to make, the most important one from Tim O’Brien’s point of view was input on the hiring of Superintendents.
Burlington city council does not have any formal input on the decisions City Manager Tim Commisso makes on his hiring decisions. The decision Council makes is who they want as City Manager. That manager does the staff hiring or delegates it to Executive Directors.
Tim O’Brien was born in Sarnia, moved to Burlington in 1990. He was a music teacher with the HDCSB; retired in 2018 when he was elected a trustee.
His move to municipal politics, not unusual, was brought about by his dissatisfaction with the way the HDCSB operated and his interest in city wide issues.
These days he is knocking on doors and hearing what the issues are.
O’Brien does not live I ward 2 – he does live across the street on the other side of the ward 2 boundary.
During his door knocking O’Brien found that intensification is the number one issue for the people he is talking to on their doorsteps.
“Every third household I talked to said their concern was with the level of intensification” he said.
Quality of life was the next big issue for people followed by dissatisfaction and concerns with the services provided by Parks and Recreation. O’Brien wants to see more park space and points out that if you drive along Guelph Line from Dundas to Lakeshore Road – note how little open green space exists.
He wants to see more and soon before the developers build on the land that could be available.
He said that people don’t understand why all these high rises have to be built.
 O’Brien has deep concerns over life in a condo. It might be Ok for empty nesters but he doesn’t think it is the kind of place where your raise children. Site plan of a development that is planned for FAirview just west of Guelph Line. O’Brien met with people in Oakville where they appear to have managed to keep the high rise development out of their downtown core.
Some think that is because Oakville hires better legal talent to represent the city at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings and ask aloud if Burlington has the right person leading the legal department.
Some clarification: The appeal level for anyone who differs with a municipality on the decisions it makes on planning matters used to be the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) that got renamed to the Local Planning Authority Tribunal (LPAT) and was recently changed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)
 Post war bungalows on large lots were the norm in the Queensway community. Developers bought up half a dozen properties, consolidated and put up rows of town houses. While door knocking in the Queensway (west of Guelph Line, south of the QEW) O’Brien learned about what residents in the area called “needle park” – the vacant lot on the south west corner of Harvester and Guelph Line. “The bushes in the park give the drug users a place to do what they do without being seen” said O’Brien adding that the community doesn’t have a park.
It is in a quiet part of the city that has undergone significant development. Where there were once quarter acre lots with small bungalows that were created for veterans just after WWII; developers did some consolidation and the area now has some significant intensification – but no high rise – yet.
O’Brien found that taxes were not the number one issue – it was third on his list based on what he heard at the door. “People were telling me that if higher taxes were needed to maintain the quality of life they want then they are Ok with that.
 Townhouse developments have replaced bungalows on large spacious lots. What people don’t want to lose said O’Brien was the almost small town feel of the city. They don’t like the sense that the city is becoming a place for “rich strangers that we don’t know.”
O’Brien has deep concerns over life in a condo. It might be Ok for empty nesters but he doesn’t think it is the kind of place where your raise children.
 Tim O’Brien has figured it out: Knocking on doors beats the photo op every time. He would want to see a lot in the way of amenities where kids could play and learn – he wants libraries, swimming pools, gymnasiums and playing fields. Outdoor ice rinks that are maintained by the community is what he wants to work for.
Dogs and off leash parks – a big problem now that is only going to get bigger. The one planned for Drury and New Street is too small said O’Brien.
He likes the idea of creating time for people to use the dog park as unleashed space for two hours or so in the morning and another two hours late in the day – maybe early evening.
It will have to be monitored but O’Brien thinks it is worth a pilot effort to see if people can learn to share space.
Can he beat the incumbent and win the council seat we asked. “I can if I work hard enough.
And with that Tim O’Brien was on the phone setting up a meeting and getting ready to knock on more doors in the evening
By Pepper Parr
August 21st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This review of the candidates who filed nomination papers is being done in three parts. Those running in wards 1, 2 and 3 have been published. This article covers wards 4, 5 and 6. The third will cover the candidate running for Mayor.
Ward 4
 Tony Brecknock candidate for the ward 3 council seat. OUNCIL SEAT Tony Brecknock
Phone: 905-334-8118
Email: tony@brecknock.com
Website: brecknock.com
The Gazette has yet to interview Tony Brecknock. Basically due to scheduling issues. He was active in the decision the Halton District School Board made to close two of the city’s seven high schools.
 Olivia Duke candidate for the ward 4 Council seat. Olivia Duke
Phone: 416-320-8843
Email: olivia@oliviaduke.ca
Website: oliviaduke.ca
Our attempts at meeting with Olivia Duke have not gotten us very far. She has been actively campaigning.
 Shawna Stolte, ward 4 incumbent Shawna Stolte
Email: stolte4ward4@gmail.com
Website: https://stolte4ward4.ca
Shawna is the ward 4 incumbent. She has had her issues with the Integrity Commissioner and had her run ins with the Mayor as well. During what can only be called a ‘sparring’ match during a Council meeting Stolte made it very clear she knew how to stick to a principled position while the Mayor made it equally clear that she could use and abuse the power the Mayor has to amend an agenda to suit her personal agenda. That sorry spectacle is HERE for viewing, if you haven’t already seen it.
Stolte has served the interests of her constituents very well and brought about changes in the way council processes and proceeds with its business. Some were small, other quite significant.
Eden Wood
Phone: 905-630-4949
Email: vote.edenwood@gmail.com
Website: https://edenwoodward4.ca/
We have yet to meet Ms Wood. Most of the first time candidates needed additional time to get their web sites operational.
Ward 5
The number of candidates that came out of the blue on the second to last day that nominations were open flooded ward 5 And probably stunned the incumbent who most people thought was going to be acclaimed. Paul Sharman is now in a race.
We have no detail on any of the candidates listed below. We will reach out to each of them and learn what wee can. The first question that pops into our minds is this: Was it pure coincidence that three people with very little in the way of a public profile all filed their papers on the same day? Journalists don’t believe in coincidences
Guy D’Alesio
Phone: 905-483-5093
Email: guydalesio@gmail.com
Andrew Hall
Phone: 289-962-2862
Email: hello@andrewhallburlington.com
Denny Pirzas
Phone: 905-484-0105
Email: pirzasdenny@gmail.com
 Paul Sharman, ward 5 incumbent Paul Sharman
Phone: 905-320-7467
Email: paul@paulsharman.ca
Website: paulsharman.ca
Paul Sharman burst on the political scene in the 2010 election when he filed nomination papers for the Office of Mayor. Shortly after that Rick Goldring, who was the Council member for ward 5 also filed papers to run for the Office of Mayor.
Sharman almost immediately withdrew his nomination for Mayor and filed to run as the ward Councillor.
Both Sharman and Goldring won the race they ran in.
 Sharman was a member of the Group that put together the Shape Burlington report that set out what people were unhappy about with city hall. One might ask Sharman if what he was a part in 2020 has had an impact on the way city hall works with its citizens.
Sharman went on to become a very different member of Council. He brought significant private sector experience to the job and a mind that could never get enough data.
He was described by Goldring as one of the best strategic minds that Gold rind had seen.
Many thought Sharman would run for Mayor this time. It was never really something he wanted to be. He chose not to and while he didn’t assume he was going to be acclaimed we don’t think he expected three people the public knew very little about to run against him.
He has been a useful member of Council forcing his colleagues to look at significant financial issues in a different light.
.Ward 6
 Angelo Bentivegna, ward 6 incumbent Angelo Bentivegna
Phone: 905-973-6923
Email: angelo.bentivegna@gmail.com
Angelo Bentivegna is the incumbent. He defeated Councillor Blair Lancaster by less the 50 votes in 2018 and has worked hard to gain a stronger foothold in the ward. His command and grasp of many of the issues that come before council is at times limited. He has positioned himself as the Councillor who cares about what taxpayers have to deal with.
He is very strong when working a room – a lot of bonhomie to the man.
Rick Greenspoon
Phone: 905-466-4449
Email: greenspoonrick@gmail.com
Website: https://www.rickgreenspoon.com
Rick Greenspoon has up until this point in his working life been the man behind the scenes making things work better and getting the job done.
He has a clear idea of what he thinks can be done and is out on the streets doing the door to door work that is essential
Many ward 6 residents in the Millcroft area have a significant issue with the plans Argo Developments have for the the changes it would make with the golf course the community was built around.
Greenspoon appears to have made some deep inroads and been able to capitalize on the disappointment those people have with the incumbent.
Renato Velocci
Phone: 905-802-8808
Email: rvelocci01@gmail.com
We do know that Renato Velocci once ran against Linda Pugley for a council seat many years ago.
List of candidates for wards 1,2 and 3
 By Joseph Gaetan
August 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
If you know anyone who is thinking about buying a condominium – pass this along to them. They will thank you.
Privately Owned Public Spaces, a.k.a POPS, are spaces dedicated to public use and enjoyment, which are owned and maintained by private property owners (but not all property owners in the City of Burlington, just condo owners), in exchange for bonus floor area or waivers.
POPS agreements when in place are provided by a developer but then maintained by property owners in perpetuity in accordance with the statutes, bylaws, regulations in place and pursuant to any City approvals. POPS in part are also the result of City zoning regulations aimed at ensuring the densest areas of our city also offer a measure of open public space and greenery. Thus, POPS can be important amenities for the enjoyment of Burlington citizens, and visitors.
 The POPS that is to be part of the Core development located between Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road is a decision made by the developer that future residents will have to pay for. If you have never owned a condo that has a POPS or never plan on doing do so, you may think what is the big deal anyway? Well, the big deal is, those who do own one, end up paying for something they had little input on and something that will affect their cost of living as long as they live there. The cost of the POPS will be reflected in both the common area fees (CEF’s) that owners pay on a monthly basis as well as the monthly contribution to the Reserve Fund that is put in place for major repairs and/or replacement of the POPS assets at some point in the future.
So, imagine a situation where the parking structure is buried under a POPS. In the beginning owners will be paying for basic and ongoing yard maintenance, snow removal, pruning of trees, replacement of benches and any litigation, insurance etc. Sometime in the future (as identified in the Reserve Fund but often sooner) the underground concrete slab will have to be repaired or sections replaced. But before that, all of the overburden, all the trees, all the sidewalks, everything on top of the slab will be stripped clean and taken off-site so that the remedial work can be performed.
Upon completion of the repair/remediation work, guess what, new soil will be returned to the site, new trees planted, new sidewalks poured and after 6 to 8 months of disruption the POPS will have been restored to its original design parameters. Without exaggeration this could cost the property owners millions of dollars.
When a developer turns a property over to a not-for-profit condominium corporation the common area fees and Reserve Fund allocations are grossly understated. The principal reasons for this being, there is no cost history or Reserve Fund study to base these figures upon. A condominiums first Reserve Fund study occurs during its first year of incorporation with follow-up studies every three years afterward.
Under normal circumstances per the Condominium Act 1998, upon turnover the Condominium Corporation usually has one year to cancel any contracts made by the Declarant.
Case in point, one condo in Burlington chose to cancel the Geo-Thermal, Renewal Energy Agreement put in place by the Declarant. The corporation was able to cancel the agreement and then secured a loan to purchase the system saving residents approximately $6 million dollars over a 30-year period. This option does not apply to POPS as canceling such agreements is beyond the scope of this section of the “Act.”
Below is an excerpt from an Official Plan Amendment Rezoning Application document for a development that was approved in 2008:
Conditions of Zoning Approval
“agree to grant an easement to the City for the purpose of providing public access over the (feature details redacted) containing the (feature details redacted) at the South end of the front yard, from (address details redacted) of, and pay for all costs associated with the easement including the preparation of a reference plan legally describing the location of the landscape courtyard subject to the easement; and,
“include the following warning clause in all Offers of Purchase and Sale and in the
Condominium declaration:
“purchasers/tenants are advised that the landscape courtyard containing the (redacted) at the South end of the front yard, is for public use”
POPS were invented in New York, in 1961 via a Zoning Regulation, the purpose was to find solutions to the city’s budget gaps in providing public spaces. Mobilising private funds seemed like a good way to build public infrastructure and something a city could offer that was seemingly free (i.e., public spaces, in exchange for additional housing units).
POPS have a place in the public realm and should not be discarded in totality. The use of POPS has been successfully used throughout the world (i.e., High Line NYC) but not without issues (i.e., Autumn of 2011, a small anarchist group occupied Zuccotti Park, a public plaza in Downtown New York).
All homeowners in Burlington should expect and deserve to be treated fairly and equitably. While I there is a place for POPS, such developments that create a cost burden to one class of taxpayers and not others are simply wrong. If the City of Burlington approves POPS for additional height on a particular building, or additional housing units in a development, those costs should be spread across all taxpayers within the City of Burlington.
With an election on the horizon the subject of POPS deserves attention. When a candidate asks for your support, it is fair game to ask them if they are in favour of approving developments where the POPS will place an unfair financial burden on some taxpayers (condo owners). Residents of a building that sits on .58 hectare of land, and contributes around $1 million a year in realty taxes, should not be asked to also pay more for a POPS.
Further information regarding the issues and cost effects of POPS on condo owners can be found by reading the CCI Toronto article entitled, “Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces” that may be found by visiting, CCI-T-Condovoice-Spring2019-FB19.pdf (ccitoronto.org)
Related news story:
Just what does a POPS mean
 Joe Gaetan is a Burlington resident who lives in a condominium that has a POPS.
He speaks on occasion before Council on civic issues and participates in Ontario Land Tribunal matter
By Pepper Parr
August 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Is she or isn’t she?
 Charismatic, competitive – ready for big time politics locally? Is Kimberly Calderbank going to run for the office of Mayor?
If she is – and at this point we don’t know – her recent LinkedIn piece could have been read any number of ways.
Calderbank considers herself a strong strategic thinker – is her game plan to wait for the very last minute and then announce giving her some almost immediate momentum ?
The last half of August is always a quiet time; the pace will quicken as soon as the Labour Day holiday is over.
Calderbank was identified as the “developers” candidate in 2018 when she ran for the ward 2 council seat.
She wasn’t trounced but she certainly didn’t win.
The Gazette interviewed Calderbank during the 2018 election; we weren’t all that impressed.
 It could easily be taken as a political statement. We heard a young woman who certainly had career aspirations but not much more than that say she wanted to be Mayor but didn’t appear to have much in the way of a plan or a vision for the city.
She runs a successful private marketing business and has several media related jobs.
She serves as the media point person fo the Halton Region Police Services Board as well as the Ontario Police Services Board.
One of her clients is the Food4Life non-profit organization where we learned a number of months ago that they had contingency plans in place for marketing support in the event that Calderbank filed nomination papers.
We certainly got h impression from that source that Calderbank was going to be a candidate – and it wasn’t going to be for a Council seat.
She has very strong support with several families that could and would put a lot of weight behind a campaign.
She has a very good working relationship with Cogeco.
All the pieces needed to launch an election campaign exist.
It could happen – but it has to happen before 2:00 pm on Friday the 19th – that is when nominations close.
Should Calderbank run for the office of Mayor it will be one heck of a race.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
Related new content
Kimberly in her own words
 By Pepper Parr
August 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
First in a series on the impact and change the the MTSA’s are going to have on the city.
The three MTSA’s are very different.
All kinds of development has already taken place in Aldershot NTSA (Major Transit Service Area) where the ADI Development group has done a lot of building – they seemed to have forgotten that parks are supposed to be close to where people live.
 The development sector did not get ahead of the demand that everyone knew was coming. They chose to let demand build up – then did the supplying. Burlington is the current focal point while Appleby has not seen very much in the way of development – the pressing matter in the Appleby MTSA is the Fearmans pork processing plant. The owners of the facility have grown to be a world wide pork providers – and have invested heavily. Can that kind of facility exist in a city?
 The Molinaro Group were the first to build the high towers. They chose to be close to the GO station. Sales support the decision they made. The final two towers of the five tower development are close to seeing shovels in the ground. Downtown Burlington UGC/Burlington GO MTSA – The MTSA covers an area of 102 gross ha (253 gross acres) located immediately north of Burlington Downtown. The area has access to Highway 403 and the Q.E.W. via Brant Street and Fairview Street, respectively.
The area is served by the Burlington GO train station (Lakeshore West line). The area has a significant underutilized land base and is home to a population of 1,670 and an employment base of 2,680 jobs. Major employment sectors include retail trade, manufacturing and food and accommodation. Land abutting Brant Street and Fairview Street comprises largely retail commercial uses with some recent high-density residential development along the latter.
Lands along Plains Road are largely general industrial in nature. A low-density residential area is located south of Fairview Street, east of Brant Street.
The area is intersected by two CN rail lines which separate the area into two distinct areas to the north and south. With the exception of one condominium project (Paradigm Midtown Burlington) located in proximity to the Burlington GO train station, the area has experienced limited development activity over the past decade.
Appleby GO MTSA – The Appleby MTSA is located south of the Q.E.W. at Appleby Line, with excellent access to the Q.E.W., and is served by the Appleby GO train station (Lakeshore West
 A 150 year old corporation that plays a significant role in the Burlington economy. Should a slaughterhouse be in this location? Line). The area is occupied largely by mature employment uses that exhibit a general industrial character, with residential townhouse complexes and small apartment buildings on the south side of Fairview Street.
The MTSA covers an area of 179 gross ha (443 gross acres), and is home to a population of 1,140 and an employment base of 6,390 jobs. A large share of employment is in manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services and finance and insurance. A significant share of land in the MTSA is underutilized or vacant. The area has experienced limited development activity over the past decade and has limited development activity identified through site-plan activity.
 While it comes close to looking like “project” developments the community has yet to find itself. Aldershot GO MTSA – The Aldershot MTSA is situated immediately south of Highway 403, west of the Q.E.W. and Highway 407. The area is intersected by Plains Road and Waterdown Road which serve as the two main roadways.
The area has excellent access to Highway 403 via Waterdown Road. The MTSA is serviced by regional commuter rail (GO train Lakeshore West line). With a gross land area of 86 ha (213 acres), the MTSA has a population of approximately 1,100, an employment base of 1,090 jobs, and comprises a mix of low-, medium- and high-density residential, retail/ service commercial, industrial and institutional development.
The area has experienced significant residential and mixed-use development over the past decade.
The Appleby GO MTSA has the highest overall existing utilization of lands, both with respect to building floor space index and employment base, followed by the Downtown Burlington UGC/Burlington GO MTSA and the Aldershot GO MTSA.
While the Aldershot GO MTSA is the most underdeveloped with respect to non-residential land uses, it has the largest population base and has experienced the most development activity over the past decade (largely residential and mixed-use development).
By Staff
August 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 “On August 10, 2022, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its decision in a case between the Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton (the “Halton Municipalities”) and CN related to CN’s proposed Intermodal facility in Milton.
“The Halton Municipalities had commenced the application to protect the thousands of residents that live near the CN lands in Milton from adverse and harmful effects that would arise from CN’s proposed intermodal hub.
“The Court decision flatly rejected CN’s claim that as a federally regulated rail project, it was immune from over 60 provincial and local laws designed to protect people and the environment from adverse and harmful impacts that would be caused by the facility.
This was the same argument to Burlington Airpark owners used. The city won the first case – they lost the appeal and decided to throw in the towel. Had Burlington taken the case to a high court CN would have known that they didn’t have a leg to stand on
It will be interesting to see if the Region appeals. They might want to chase down Ian Blue the lawyer who did a fine job for Burlington on a case that was very similar.
“While the decision did not grant the Halton Municipalities request for an immediate injunction, it did leave open the door for future activity by the Halton Municipalities to continue to enforce their laws in the public interest.
“The Halton Municipalities will continue to review the Ontario Superior Court decision and consider its options. In addition, the Halton Municipalities are continuing its litigation in the Federal Courts to review decisions by the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Federal Minister and Cabinet to approve federal aspects of the CN Project. The Halton Municipalities oppose CN proceeding with the truck-rail hub in Milton because it does not comply with applicable provincial and municipal laws and will cause significant harm to air quality and human health.
To view the Ontario Court’s decision and learn more about the Halton Municipalities’ position on the project, please visit halton.ca/CN.
Related news stories:
Region and its municipalities decide to take CN to court.
 By Staff
August 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The readers are what count.
In the direct correspondence, their emails and the comments they leave in the newspaper for others to enjoy they reflect ideas and thoughts of some of the people in the city and the several thousand that don’t currently live in Burlington.
One reader sent the following as a comment and we have “upgraded it to stand alone Opinion.
Mr. Parr asks the right question and, wisely, leaves the reader to arrive at their own conclusion. Here is mine and it is only mine. The context for the quote referenced in the article was Meed Ward’s response to the Ford pronouncement that he was proposing to give the Mayors of Ottawa and Toronto veto rights over their Councils.
Meed Ward (along with the Big City Mayors) was very quick to support “investigating” the broader application of this veto power and cited the remarkable synergy of the Burlington Council in support. ‘We’re a cohesive group anyways, are we not?’ Well, no, and the video clip attached to this article demonstrates more vividly than words could ever do, how dangerous such power would be if placed in the hands of any Mayor.
It is particularly worthwhile to watch the expressions of Council members (even Galbraith and Nisan) and the City Manager while our Mayor attempts her ‘ad hoc’ agenda management.
 Marianne Meed Ward on election night in 2018 Whether you are one of her many followers, true believers in her brand of social media populism, or one of her detractors, often once part of the faithful who now view her with an open cynicism – Marianne Meed Ward is, I believe, a divisive figure; she polarizes. There are few in Burlington, if they draw breath and are on the right side of the grass, who don’t hold an opinion on Her Worship.
She is exceptionally charismatic; she can make someone feel that they are the only focus of her interest and commitment. She attracts followers as if by a force of nature. She is also resourceful, insightful and one of the hardest working politicians you are likely to meet. She picks the popular issues and rides them until they are exhausted. And she knows no “time out”. If she fails in something, it will never be because she has not put the time and effort into winning.
But she can also be, in my opinion, impatient, spiteful and self-absorbed. She does not appear to forget a slight or a perceived harm and she seems to lose perspective when an opportunity to “get back” presents itself.
Her treatment of Shawna Stolte is a glaring and shameful case in point. (Click HERE to view the video) So, does she work well with her Council? I would suggest that if the criteria are toleration of opposing views, natural ability to lead or a desire to selflessly mentor all subordinates equally, then the answer is a rather resounding “NO”. But this is only my opinion and my conclusion, of course.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward doing a Cogeco TV show with Blair Smith and Lynne Crosby Blair Smith is a life long Burlington resident who has been active in representing the views of his peers. He was part of the team that worked with Marianne Meed Ward to get her elected Mayor in 2018
By Andy Walker
August 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
In the world of growing economies, business is one of the best ways to catch up. But opening an online business might sound burdensome to many people. You might have an idea, but the execution seems like a far future, next to impossible. In times like this, we have eCommerce agencies as your saviour.
 An eCommerce site gives your business a world wide reach and lets everyone in your home market know who you are and what you do. What Are eCommerce Agencies?
How do you start a business? First, you start researching a specific market. Suppose you want to know about new Ontario online casinos and you research about that and gather some information. Then you get your own idea and start a business. You can also search for business strategies online. But theirs and your ideas will contradict as they only provide you with a generalized plan which might not be effective in your case.
eCommerce agencies are specialized agencies that make customized plans for clients according to their needs and business goals for them to achieve the target sales. Since they know what they are doing, you do not have to think much about it and face trials and errors.
Why Will You Choose Agencies and Not an Employee?
Hiring an employee indeed sounds easier and more economical than hiring an agency. But what are the advantages of hiring an agency? Let us get into it.
1. Expertise
Agencies are experts in their fields as they know the latest trends in the market, new technologies and creativity in their approach. They will provide you with expert guidance. An employee cannot have expertise in all the areas; they need additional training for it.
2. Saving Time and Cost-Effectiveness
Time is valuable in business as is the proper amount of investment. Agencies will provide you with a fixed budget and they have manpower so they will do the job in time. It will save your money as well as your precious time. Employees, on the other hand, can strain your budget.
 Creating a budget and staying within it is critical. 3. Building Your Site
eCommerce agencies are connected with technical platforms so they will help you build a site from scratch or can upgrade your new site according to your requirement. You won’t need another employee for that.
4. Digital Marketing Services
Agencies help with SEO, promoting your brand via social media, product presentation, content creation, jamming the site with viewers by running PPC promotions, SMS and email marketing, influencers, etc. Otherwise, you have to hire multiple employees.
5. Strategizing CRO
If you are in the business field, you should know how much CRO helps in growing the ROI of your site. CRO consultants will take time to deliver the result but agencies are faster and therefore, they will help prevent losses.
What Factors to Keep in Mind While Choosing Your Agency?
There are a few checkboxes to tick before you finalize an agency. Let’s checkout the following steps:
1. Authenticity and Review Check
There are lots of frauds going on online and you do not want to be a part of it. Hence, always check the site thoroughly to find any discrepancy that might be there. Then head over to the reviews section to see if they are positive or not. Check both the original site as well as review articles to judge the best option.
2. Budget and Negotiation
The main reason you want an agency is to optimize your budget. Some websites offer price calculations and for some, you have to mail and clarify. After clarifying the budget, you can negotiate with them.
3. Finding the Specialization You Need
Agencies have descriptions on their pages from where you can find what areas they specialize in. Some might be experts in web designs while some might work with social media marketing. You need to choose which one is the best fit for your business.
 This is the reason you are in business. Creating an eCommerce extension gives you world wide reach for your product or service. 4. After-Sales Service Check
After-sales service is essential in case some problem arises with your site later. Make sure to check the reviews if they provide it or not.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a good eCommerce agency is like opening a door to success. It will determine your future growth. The modern business market requires advanced technology and innovation. So, to keep yourself up with the competitive market, you have to find the best option to realize your dream. Nothing is too far-fetched, it only requires a genie. Let an eCommerce agency be that for you.
By Connor Fraser
August 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We have allowed powerful firms to created wasteful narratives. It’s time to push back.
How many times per week do you poo?
This past winter, I happened upon a regular schedule, nearly every day. Oh, and by “poo” I mean shampoo.
In December, my hairdresser recommended a new set of shampoo, conditioner and product specific to my hair style – instead of generic soaps found at the grocery store. I suppose it was more excitement at the prospect of taking better care and ownership of my body that caused me to embrace this daily routine. Recently, it has propelled me to think about how often I wash, and whether soaps are even necessary every time. They are not.
Proponents of the moderately famous “no poo” movement will argue that abstention from all commercial soaps is possible. There are people all over the internet who claim to have done so for 5+ years. While those claims are more than a bit ridiculous and I don’t plan to jump on their boat anytime soon, recently I have experimented with lathering up only every third day, and (maybe) rinsing for the remainder. And I haven’t noticed any difference. If anything, my hair is healthier than before.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Europeans get away with much less – they shampoo roughly half as often as North Americans. My friends and family who recently returned from vacation in France, Spain or Italy all reported a great experience. They didn’t mention anything about slippery streets or having to throw out clothes after brushing into someone’s head on the subway.
 The push to have long flowing curly hair is a feature of advertising in North America In fact, regular use of shampoo arrived only in the 20th century, when large-scale advertising campaigns “showered” people with the idea. They painted an image whereby buying and using their product was a ticket to gaining social acceptance. Those who remained on fringe were medieval.
As a student of business, I appreciate that firms exist to harness (hopefully for good) the most basic human instinct which is self-interest. Optimally, appropriate checks and balances would be in place to control the worst impulses of owners to, among endless possibilities, commit fraud or abuse their employees. But there is nothing illegal about pushing a product which people don’t really need, or at a greater frequency than is actually necessary.
I wonder whether Canadians are guilty of sleep walking into this trap. People, myself included, love stories. We crave simplification and narratives, and marketing departments at most large multinationals have evolved into history’s most successful storytellers. The problem arises, however, when the stories we are told do not end up creating value for consumers. Business, like politics and life, is a game. We must be vigilant to keep competitors honest and fight tooth and nail to avoid being coaxed out of our hard earned savings of real and social capital.
Over-usage of shampoo is but one example. What about laundry & dishwasher detergent? For the past year, I have washed my clothes with Tide. Despite always pouring the smallest suggested measure of detergent, even for heavy loads, I have never experienced dirty clothes. Moreover, my family always splits the bar of dishwasher detergent in half. Literally zero difference.
What about cellphones? Is it fate that everyone on the planet should have a portable phone, or rather did executives in Silicon Valley conspire to cook up another great narrative which we have all embraced without an afterthought? While I’m being crude, there is plenty of truth here.
 You’ve seen a lot of these. Because we live in an increasingly digital age where advanced marketing tactics have given firms the upper hand, so too must we arm consumers, and particularly young consumers, with the tools they need to defend themselves. When I was in elementary school, I recall my teacher briefly explaining to the class why it’s important to constantly question the messages behind advertisements.
That was one lesson, in 4th grade. For the most part, myself and my classmates were left to fend for ourselves. One opportunity might be to revitalize Ontario’s media literacy curriculum such that it rigorously prepares tomorrow’s generation to become more responsible and critical consumers. Additionally, consumer protection groups might accelerate verification of claims made by companies to ascertain whether they are backed by objectivity and science. Perhaps there is a rationale for increased funding towards federal watchdogs such as the Office of Consumer Affairs.
In the meantime, I encourage you to think about what products and services you consume as part of your routine, with an eye for identifying which are truly adding value, and which are freeloading. Consider sharing your findings and perspective with a comment below – I’m excited to learn what you discover!
 Connor Fraser is a long-time resident of Aldershot.
In 2020, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, with a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science and a major in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
He has returned to U of T to enroll in the dual Master of Global Affairs and Master of Business Administration program.
By Pepper Parr
August 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
In ten days we will know who the candidates for city council are going to be and have a pretty good idea what the next council is going to look like as well.
 Kelvin Galbraith: Could be in trouble Ward 1 was a given. Kelvin Galbraith has a high school teacher campaigning against him thinking that he can continue as a high school teacher and serve as a council member at the same time.
There appears to be a change. Robert Radway now realizes that he can get a leave of absence from the Board of Education but that will not apply to his first year as a Councillor. Radway said he has a plan in place that will allow him to perhaps do some teaching and still serve as a member of Council.
 Lisa Kearns: Probably has the finest mind on this council – needs to work on some issues. Lisa Kearns should prevail in ward 2 – candidates do keep coming out of the wood work but Kearns has earned the right to a second term. A real race for the seat will test Kearns in a way that will make her very uncomfortable but she will be better for it.
Rory Nisan has proven to be a disappointment for many – apparently not those working with him for re-election and certainly not for the Mayor. She now has a new lap dog.
 Rory Nisan: biggest disappointment Jennifer Hounslow has a chance but she is pushing a rock up a hill – but Councillors that disappoint consistently do lose. and on that level Rory Nisan has proven to be a disappointment. The Gazette supported Nisan in 2018 – mentored him a little, urged him to get a copy of the Procedural bylaw and know it well. He certainly did that – took a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner that found Stolte had broken a rule.
Shawna Stolte should retain her seat. There are those who have issues with the Integrity Commissioners reports and the sanctions they handed out – the Gazette will comment on just what that is all about in the near future.
Paul Sharman will be acclaimed in ward 5.
 Angelo Bentivegna faces a stiff contender. His less than 50 seat plurality in 2018 and the serious dissatisfaction on the part of a lot of people in Millcroft over the attempts to build on golf course land have not helped.
Rick Greenspoon has his work cut out for him but he seems more than able to take the seat.
While there are many that don’t like what Mayor Meed Ward has delivered – Anne Marsden just does not have what it takes to be a Mayor.
What she might manage to do is significantly reduce the Meed Ward vote enough to smarten up Marianne.
 These are the people you elected in 2018. Time to think about how many you want to serve you again. So what will that deliver?
Meed Ward as Mayor
Galbraith in ward 1
Kearns in ward 2
Ward 3 could be a surprise
Stolte in Ward 4
Sharman in ward 5
Greenspoon in ward 6
We might want to revise these suggestions after nominations close.
In the weeks ahead we will interview and spend time with each of the candidates.
The options will be clearer on the 19th which is when nominations close.
There is a hope out there that Kimberly Calderbank will take a run at the Office of Mayor. Calderbank is a strong strategist and there are some very respectable people who will support her.
The process of filing a nomination is cluttered – you have to make an appointment with the city Clerk. Should Calderbank file papers the news will have been flashed to the Mayor before the ink is dry on her papers.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
On the matter of it getting harder to get public information from city hall – try this one.
A citizen who is active in civic matters; has delegated at city hall, appeared at Ontario Municipal Hearings and knows his way around public issues.
 He wanted to check on something related to a former development application; there was some information related to wind studies and traffic projections that he wanted to review again. That information was online at the old city web site. Is there a reason why the same information wasn’t on the new web site? And if there is a reason, when is the public going to get wind of it?
The city communications people have explained that: “we are still in the process of updating these development webpages and configuring our website. Some site configurations, like the development projects pages, can’t be fully completed in a staging\testing environment so they need to be done on the live site. We are in the process of migrating supporting documents for applications, this is a extensive process as there are almost 60 application pages with at times over 20 large documents for each application.
“If you require specific documents please reach out if you do not yet see on the site.”
What we are getting from the communications people is reasonable – it would have been more professional of them to have alerted both the media and the public on what to expect as the changeover to a new web site design takes place.
What we are getting from the communications people however is not what the public is getting when they call their friends in the planning department.
In the back and forth communications set out below we are not identifying the city planner or the Gazette reader.
We don’t believe the planner is telling people on his own that the public should use FOI’s to get information. Our belief is that the planners have been told to explain this to the public
Our reader put in a call to a planner that he thought he had a decent working relationship with – and finished the call wondering what was going on.
In a nut shell he was told that if he wanted information on a development he could file a Freedom of Information request.
 His comments about the state of engagement with city hall were blunt and direct – “It’s a sham.”
From the planner who was explaining how to use the FOI process.
https://www.burlington.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/freedom-of-information.aspx
The Gazette reader learned from the old city web site that: Most requests for information can be resolved without the formal use of the Act. We release certain types of records in response to an informal request as part of our routine disclosure. Fees for requests for information under routine disclosure are based on our Rates and Fees Bylaw (By-law 061-2021).
The Gazette reader wonders if the by-law and ” Fees for request for information under routine disclosure has been changed and adds that “If you follow the suggested process to find readily available planning docs you get the following:
“Information and material that is required to be provided to the City under the Ontario Planning Act is available to the public.
“You can request records with the Committee of Adjustment by phone at 905-335-7777, ext. 7629. You can direct all other planning record requests to 905-335-7777, ext. 7642 or planning@burlington.ca.
“Applicable fees will apply.
The Gazette reader: “I think this may give you everything you may need without me sharing my source. The question that comes to mind immediately is: Who is telling planners to stop being helpful and direct them somewhere else?
“Does this mean that public data is going to require an FOI request – for which I will pay a fee?’
 It had a very very short term impact: City Hall didn’t like it and wanted changed made. Council voted unanimously to Receive and File the report Burlington has been down this path before. In 2010 former Mayor Walter Mulkewich and the late John Boich wrote a report that was called Shape Burlington.
Current Councillor Paul Sharman was on the committee that wrote the report.
A link to the report is set out below.
The issues in 2010 were about city hall not providing the information the public wanted. Nothing changes – there is a mindset within the municipal sector that has them believing that they do not have to respond to what the public wants. And with Council members that do not make it clear to the city manager that staff are in place to serve the public nothing is ever going to change.
Link to the Shape Burlington Report – 2010
 By Staff
August 4th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is seeking the public’s assistance is locating Jeffrey Graham (56) of Burlington. He was last seen at approximately 9:00 am on August 3, 2022 in the area of Torrance Street and Lakeshore Road in Burlington.
 Jeffrey Graham – missing Jeffrey was driving a white Dodge Ram at the time he was last seen.
Jeffrey is described as:
• Male
• White
• Approximately 5’7” tall, 170 lbs. (slim build)
• Dark grey hair (buzz cut) with a beard
• Wearing a white or grey shirt, beige shorts, black baseball hat, thick/round glasses and blue and white New Balance running shoes.
Police and his family are concerned for his well-being and are asking anyone with information about him or his possible location to contact police through 9-1-1 or via the non-emergency line at 905 825 4777.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
A person can be reported missing at any time – there is no 24 hour waiting period. If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, you can report a person as missing to the Halton Regional Police Service by calling the non-emergency number 905-825-4777.
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The same reader went on to say that RCO “hasn’t truly thought this out and don’t have a lot of experience with a political debate. I mean the can’t even figure out how candidates answer questions and alphabetical order is not that fair i mean 1 person always has the first word and 1 person always has the last word.. I would suggest that they have a predetermined order to answer each question determined buy random draw now isn’t that fair.
The level of political naivety and sophistication is so disappointingly low in Burlington.
One can only wish that each community had organizations like the Roseland Community Organization.
Until that happens – would the people in each ward look for a way to hold a debate in their community.